clepsydra
Americannoun
-
clepsydras,
plural
-
clepsydrae
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of clepsydra
1640–50; < Latin < Greek klepsýdra, equivalent to kleps- ( klep-, stem of kléptein to steal, conceal + -s- formative in derivation) + hydra, derivative of hýdōr water
Explanation
Drip, drip, drip. This used to be the sound of a clepsydra — a special water clock used by ancient civilizations. The clepsydra was an early and innovative way to keep track of time. It combines the Greek roots klept-, meaning "steal," and hydr-, meaning "water." The clepsydra worked by measuring time through the steady flow of water from one container to another — as if one container was gradually stealing water from the other. The clepsydra was used by the Greeks, Egyptians, and other ancient civilizations to time speeches, monitor cooking, and even keep time during court sessions.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Empedocles performed his experiment with a household implement people had used for centuries, the so-called clepsydra or “water thief,” which was used as a kitchen ladle.
From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan
Both are bored to death, like the patient Pliny, by the readings of wealthy scribblers, or by tiresome pleadings in the courts, measured by many a turn of the clepsydra.
From Roman Society from Nero to Marcus Aurelius by Samuel Dill
The clepsydra is said to have been known to the Egyptians.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various
The clepsydra had already accomplished three turns, and yet I roamed by the railing under the dryandra trees.
From Hung Lou Meng, Book II Or, the Dream of the Red Chamber, a Chinese Novel in Two Books by H. Bencraft Joly
While we were thus busy, useful, and happy, the dripping rain, like a clepsydra, told off the morning moments.
From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 10, No. 62, December, 1862 by Various
Smaller clepsydrae of glass were very early used in place of the sun-dial, to mark the hours.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various
Before there were hour-glasses and clepsydras, most phenomena could be estimated as to their durations and intervals, with no greater precision than degrees of hardness can be estimated by the fingers.
From Essays on Education and Kindred Subjects Everyman's Library by Herbert Spencer
The Arabian astronomers also devoted themselves to the construction and perfection of astronomical instruments, to the measurement of time by clocks of various kinds, by clepsydras and sun-dials.
From History of the Conflict Between Religion and Science by John William Draper
Well," he said, "clepsydras always work better when nearly full than when nearly empty.
From Andivius Hedulio Adventures of a Roman Nobleman in the Days of the Empire by Edward Lucas White
It seems probable that some of these water clocks could have been simple drip clepsydras, with perhaps a striking arrangement added.
From On the Origin of Clockwork, Perpetual Motion Devices, and the Compass by Derek J. de Solla (Derek John de Solla) Price
During his residence at Toledo he constructed two clepsydras, the waters of which decreased and increased according to the waning and growing of the moon, and these two basins were destroyed only in A.D.
From Arabic Authors A Manual of Arabian History and Literature by F. F. Arbuthnot
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